Veterans all decided to surrender the "civilian"

Veterans all decided to surrender the "civilian"
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
August 10, 2012

When ACLU defended Westboro hate group against military families, I said what I had to say then moved onto something else. At least I thought I did. It really got to me.

I sat and thought about how much veterans gave up so that others could keep the rights they have. Gave up? Yes, they did. I think that is what has this issue so stuck in my head that I even thought about it taking a shower just now. (You all know I'm odd like that.)

Westboro wants the right to say whatever they want and scream free speech. That's fine with everyone. No one is trying to stop them for proving what a bunch of hateful, anti-Christians they really are and no one can stop me from saying that but the right to say whatever we want in something the veterans gave up when they served in the military. They couldn't say whatever they wanted. They had to follow orders and do what they were told. They ate what they were given, wore the clothes they were issued, slept where they were told to sleep and go where they were told to go for however long they were told to be there and doing whatever they were told to do.

They all decided to surrender the "civilian" the day they joined or were drafted. Yes, one more thing we can't seem to understand is the men drafted into the military during a time of war had the choice to serve or take off to another country or hide. The day they entered into the military, their civilian life was over. They would never again be civilian. They all became "Veteran" and only 8% of the population know what that is like.

We hear about the 1% of the population (the richest) needing so much protection from the congress but we don't hear about the 8% of the population being held in such high esteem folks on FOX, MSNBC and CNN spend countless hours reporting on them. We do hear a lot about politicians but no one seems to understand they are among the richest in this country and part of the 1% they are all talking about. Ok, so a few are not making over $250,000 but when you think about their salaries from congress alone, you see what I'm getting at.

The Average Joe of Congress (there are 529 of them) gets paid $174,000 per year. But not everyone is average; the Speaker of the House gets $223,500 a year, while the majority and minority leaders of both the Senate and the House, along with the President Pro Tempore, get paid $193,400 per year. Not bad, huh?

Here is the pay scale for soldiers

But while congressmen can go back home and use their "jobs" as leverage for connections and power, more money and better retirement package, a soldier goes back home and his life is forever changed, yet they are the last ones to complain about it.

They have a hard time finding jobs, getting into college and staying there, just like everyone else but the difference is, they are the only people who really know what price is paid for every history report they have to read.

8% of the population at one time or another, gave up all rights they had so that others would never lose theirs. Pretty incredible when you think about it.

But in this day and age, the ACLU comes out and says that a group of hateful people have the right to protest at a military funeral and they have as much right to do it as the family burying someone who died to defend that right but have the right to force the family to hear them.

God Bless Patriot Guard Riders!

Patriot Guard Riders standing for Wounded Warrior GySgt John Hayes, USMC

HOTH Mission

Wounded Warrior GySgt John Hayes, USMC
Home for Our Troops Adaptive Home Build
St Augustine, FL
FRI, 10 AUG 12

Last year the Patriot Guard Riders were honored by an invitation to escort Wounded Warrior USMC Cpl. Tyler Southern and his wife Ashley to receive the keys to their new adaptive home. At that celebration Cpl. Southern said his goal was to get his fellow Wounded Warrior, USMC GySgt. John Hayes (and family) their own adaptive home. That goal has come true and on Friday, August 10th 2012 the Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to honor Gunny Hayes and Family with a Flag Line to kick off the built site of his own Home for Our Troops adaptive home. Homes For Our Troops

Please consider visiting the Homes For Our Troops website and volunteer for this worthwhile cause.

Mission: The PGR will be standing a Flag Line at the Build Site to welcome Gunny Hayes and his family.

The build site is in rural St. John’s County. We will stage at the build site and set the Flag Line to receive Gunny Hayes and Family.

This is the wounded veteran the Nam Knights had the latest fundraiser for.

Westboro hate group efforts backfired

Westboro hate group efforts backfired
by Chaplain Kathie
Wounded Times Blog
August 6, 2012

The more I think about this "church" so filled with hate, seeking to make as much publicity as they can by protesting at military funerals, the more I see they have actually accomplished getting people to show how much they do love the troops. Their hate backfired.

Westboro Baptist Church Counter-Protest Planned For Fallen Soldier's Funeral
(VIDEO)
The Huffington Post
By Mollie Reilly
Posted: 08/05/2012

When Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to stage a protest at a fallen soldier's funeral, residents of Palm Bay, Fla. decided to organize a "human shield" to block the notorious group's efforts.

Counter-protesters will gather Wednesday around the funeral of Army Specialist Justin Horsley, a 21-year-old who died while serving in Afghanistan last month when his unit was attacked by an improvised explosive device.

“Our job is to welcome him back home with dignity and with pride and this is our show of respect for a fallen comrade," Brigadier General Anthony Cotton told Central Florida News 13. Cotton was one of hundreds who lined the streets and waved flags when Horsley's remains were returned to Brevard County on Saturday. Many of those individuals are planning to join the "human shield" on Wednesday.

“We’re here to protect the family from seeing these idiots with their signs protesting these heroes coming home," another counter-protester, John Stark, told News 13. Stark is a member of the Patriot Guard, a group dedicated to combating Westboro's protests.
read more here

When we had troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the interest faded about as fast as the media could pack up their gear. No one even knew what was going on unless they were family members of the men and women serving. Then a group of people filled with hate claiming to be "Christian" decided to stalk families after reading about a fallen serviceman/woman making their last journey home.

Yes, I do mean "stalk" because what they wanted to do had to involve finding out where the funeral was to be held and then going there. Before they did that they had to figure out which funeral would cause the most publicity for them and be worth getting their tiny group there. It is pretty sickening when you notice they have more signs than people.

Patriot Guard Riders started because of this group.

Several people have asked how the Patriot Guard Riders got started. Here’s what we’ve been able to piece together. If anyone can give us more details, it would be greatly appreciated.

It all started back in early August of 2005 with the American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas. They were appalled to hear that a fallen hero’s memory was being tarnished by misguided religious zealots who were protesting at funerals. They decided to do something about it. At the ALR 136 August meeting, Director: Chuck " Pappy " Barshney appointed members, Terry “Darkhorse” Houck, Cregg “Bronco 6” Hansen, Steve “McDaddy” McDonald, and Bill ”Wild Bill” Logan to form a committee to strategize and form a battle plan to combat Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church.

When they heard that the WBC was going to protest at the Funeral of Sgt. John Doles in Chelsea, Oklahoma, they established a Mission Statement, which included getting the families permission and contacting Law Enforcement and other Motorcycle Groups in Oklahoma. They agreed that their ultimate goal was to get veterans and motorcycle organizations involved in every state so that each state could handle the situation internally and not rely on other states to do the job. They were very successful in mustering riders to honor Sgt. Doles and limiting the intrusion by the WBC.

After the Chelsea Mission the Kansas American Legion Riders wanted all Motorcycle Groups/ Organizations to be recognized. On the 18th of October 2005 the Patriot Guard name was established and was announced on the 27th of October 2005 to the 100 + motorcyclists present at the Tonganoxie Mission to Honor Spc Lucas Frantz.

Following the missions in South Haven, KS and a later ride in Edmond, OK, Jeff “Twister” Brown, from Broken Arrow, OK, decided to do more than just ride. He saw a need to get a strong nation-wide communications and recruiting program in place. He contacted the original AL riders in Kansas and told them of his plans. They openly shared their experiences, suggestions, and encouragement. Within a matter of days, Brown had formed the Patriot Guard Riders and began a nation-wide campaign to garner support.

Similarly, after a mission ride in Greeley, CO, Hugh Knaus and Jason “Waldo” Wallin answered the call of the newly formed Patriot Guard Riders, becoming the national webmaster and communications director, respectively. Within a matter of days, a mission statement was refined and a website was built, rebuilt, and launched. A call immediately went out to individual riders and groups across the nation to join and ride with the PGR. State Captains were recruited to work more closely with the members in their area.

The growth has been phenomenal. Within a week their membership included many riders from associations like the VFW, American Legion, Rolling Thunder, ABATE, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, Intruder Alert, Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, and almost five hundred individual riders. To the credit of Hugh and “Waldo”, the PGR website had received almost 566,000 hits in the first two weeks! Patriots from all over America and several foreign countries responded. Emails were pouring in from people wanting to support and join the newly formed PGR.

So, that’s a pretty concise picture of where we came from and where we are today. A great deal of credit goes to that small group of Kansas American Legion Riders, but none of this could have ever been accomplished without the patriot member who takes time out of their life to honor a fallen soldier and their family.

I have ridden with them and stood with them but when I film them standing in honor of the fallen, I have a hard time focusing through tearful eyes. No one can see this group and not feel all the love they have for our troops.

This is what it looks like when they stand for a fallen serviceman or woman.

Disclaimer: There are ads on this video even though it is a funeral. YouTube said it "matched 3rd party" because of the bagpipe and bugler. Please excuse them because either someone cannot understand what happens at a military funeral or a program did it. I have a few videos I put ads on but most of them do not have any. 3rd party ads means someone else gets paid but I have no clue who would when it is a video like this.

This is from April when Patriot Guard Riders, the Nam Knights and other groups came together to escort the Traveling Wall to the reunion in Melbourne FL.

This video does have advertising that is attached to me, but it is such a small amount, so far I haven't made any money on this at all.

Other people hear that Westboro hate group is going to show up at military funeral and say "hell no" so they stand as protection for the families plus show how much they do care.

So as this tiny hateful group holds their deplorable signs after stalking a family, they have won more support for the troops and made the rest of this country take some time to honor the fallen. It is not that people didn't care about them. They just got busy with their own lives and were not reminded that as we go about our own day, thousands of miles away from their families and friends, men and women spend their days risking their lives for each other out of love.

Westboro Baptist Church Vows To Defy Rules After Congressional Smackdown

Westboro Baptist Church Vows To Defy Rules After Congressional Smackdown
The Huffington Post
By Paige Lavender
Posted: 08/04/2012

Westboro Baptist Church plans to continue its notorious protests at military funerals despite new restrictions that could leave some protesters facing up to two years in prison.

The restrictions -- which say protesters must be at least 300 feet from military funerals from two hours before they start until two hours after they end -- are part of the "The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012", a sweeping veterans bill recently passed by Congress. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill on Monday.
read more here

All this means is that Patriot Guard Riders

"A national organization of motorcycle enthusiasts created to oppose the Westboro Baptist Church, who attend funerals to honor fallen US military personnel."

will get a lot more members to do details like this.

Patriot Guard Leads Solemn Procession for Fallen Army Sgt. Eric Williams

Patriot Guard Leads Solemn Procession for Fallen Army Sgt. Eric Williams
Fort Bragg-based paratrooper killed in Afghanistan arrives at Pendleton for return to Murrieta.
By Maggie Avants and Chris Stone
August 2, 2012

Only weeks before his deployment was to end, Army Sgt. Eric Williams was killed July 23 in Logar Province, Afghanistan—south of Kabul.

Thursday afternoon, his flag-draped casket arrived via private jet at Camp Pendleton with his wife and family present.

On a sun-splashed Tarmac, they witnessed an angels ceremony, followed by a procession of Patriot Guard Riders, a Murrieta Fire Department engine and American Medical Response ambulances to his hometown of Murrieta.

Williams, 27, was a special forces operative deployed with the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, NC.

A flight medic for the Army, Williams kept up a blog that he started in 2008. According to his last blog post dated July 17, he was to be heading home soon.

“This deployment is coming to an end, in a few days we will be on a plane back to the United States to rejoin our family and friends and to try to readjust to a certain semblance of what we think life should be,” Williams wrote. “Cannot begin to describe the things we’ve seen, felt, or heard. We have lost brothers and colleagues.”
read more here

Hundreds attend funeral for Capt. MacFarlane

This morning at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park Florida, hundreds of people gathered together to honor the life of Capt. MacFarlane. The Orlando Nam Knights and Patriot Guard Riders formed a wall of flags.

Oviedo soldier dies in Afghanistan
July 8, 2012
By Leslie Postal and David Breen
Orlando Sentinel


A U.S. Army captain from Oviedo died in Afghanistan on Friday about three months after his Army Reserve unit was mobilized.

Bruce A. MacFarlane, 46, died in Kandahar, according to the Department of Defense, which did not provide information on how he died.

He was assigned to the 1186th Transportation Company, 831st Transportation Battalion, which is based in Jacksonville.

"He was a great guy, good family guy," said Keith Marang, who lives next door and said he met MacFarlane when both families moved into their new homes in 2008. "I was just floored when I heard the news."

He said MacFarlane, befitting his military career, was clean-cut and fit and looked younger than his age. He and his wife have two children, a son and a daughter, Marang said, adding that he thought they were in their early teens. He said the family moved to Oviedo from DeLand.

A person who answered the door at the family's large, modern home Sunday afternoon said they were not available, and she was not authorized to release any information. She said she was a friend of the family, and they'd been devastated by the news.

MacFarlane, who spent 12 years on active duty, was very patriotic, with an American flag always flying from his home, his neighbor said. Several small flags and red, white and blue pinwheels decorated the flower pots at the front door Sunday, presumably from the Fourth of July holiday last week.
read more here

Patriot Guard Riders and community show support and block hate group

'Red wall' of supporters comforts fallen soldier's family
By JANESE SILVEY
Published July 21, 2012
Thousands of people in red shirts joined members of the Patriot Guard yesterday to show their support for a local soldier killed in action.

The so-called human wall began as a way to shield Sterling Wyatt's family from negative messages. By the time the funeral started at 1 p.m., though, few in the crowd even realized that a small group tied to Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., had been in the area.

Wyatt, 21, was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan on July 11. Tori Smith, an acquaintance, heard about Westboro's plans to picket the funeral and organized what she thought would be a small gathering to show support for the Wyatt family.
read more here

Rain didn't stop Patriot Guard Riders

Rain does not dampen Patriot Ride’s spirit
By Eric Hagen
June 19, 2012


Thousands of people Saturday showed veterans and current service members that their service to America will not be forgotten.

An estimated 2,000 motorcyclists drove a 60-mile round trip between Ham Lake and Cambridge June 16 in honor of military veterans and the current service members during the seventh annual Patriot Ride.

It was raining when the Patriot Ride first began in 2006 and it was lightly raining again during the beginning of the seventh annual ride June 16.

Doug Bley admitted he was not among one of the approximately 100 people who braved the rain in 2006, but he has been to every one since then and now serves as the president of the Minnesota Patriot Guard. This organization and the Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund (MMAF) split the proceeds of the Patriot Ride, which has raised about $600,000 the first six years, according to Bley.
read more here

Vietnam veterans names being added to museum's Wall

Veteran's names added to county wall
Chris Agee
CNHI
June 4, 2012

PARKER COUNTY — Saturday’s third annual update of the only permanent Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall outside of Washington D.C., located in far west Parker County, included the addition of five names.

The five names of Vietnam veterans whose deaths were attributed, at least in part, to injuries sustained while on active duty, were added to the official memorial last year. Ten more names added to the Washington D.C. Memorial this year will be added to the half-size local replica next year, in accordance with law.

Following the arrival of the Patriot Guard Riders to the National Vietnam War Museum grounds, accompanied by the American Legion Riders of Anderson Post 75 in Mineral Wells, attendees witnessed an authentic representation of U.S. horse-drawn artillery units during World War I performed by the Fort Sill Artillery Half Section.

Friends of the National Vietnam War Museum Treasurer Jim Messinger introduced the ceremony’s special guests, including the widow of one soldier whose name was added to the wall Saturday. Judy Woodall traveled to Mineral Wells from Alabama to attend Saturday’s ceremony.
read more here

Bikers ride 101 miles to benefit 101st Airborne Association

Red, white, blue and chrome
Bikers ride 101 miles to benefit 101st Airborne Association
7:22 PM, May. 19, 2012
Written by
Philip Grey
Leaf-Chronicle

HOPKINSVILLE, KY. — Riders representing Rolling Thunder, The Patriot Guard, Crusaders Set Free Church and other organizations made a 101-mile Freedom Ride from Evansville, Ind., to Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery on Armed Forces Day. The purpose was to raise money on behalf of the 101st Airborne Division Association and its soldier support programs.

The National Armed Forces Freedom Rides take place in 32 states, with each state organization using proceeds to benefit different military charities. The organizer of Saturday’s event, Rodney Bond, said that the Indiana and Kentucky Freedom Ride organizations chose the 101st Airborne Division Association, which over the years has given out over one million dollars in scholarships, grants, programs and help for individual soldiers in need, according to Association Executive Secretary Wayne St. Louis.
read more here

Patriot Guard's Ride to Remember honors fallen soldiers

Patriot Guard's Ride to Remember honors fallen soldiers
Continues today through Southern Indiana
By Jared Council
Posted May 19, 2012

EVANSVILLE — As the engines of some 33 motorcycles revved early Saturday on the parking lot of Atlas Van Lines, Southwest Indiana Patriot Guard Rider Pete Smith looked back at his comrades and said, "Let's go."

With fallen American military men and women in mind, local Riders have been revving and going for the past five years. Saturday's ride continued the tradition of their "Ride to Remember: Never Forget."

"We made a promise that we would never forget," Senior Ride Captain Rick Williams told the crowd of about 50 riders before event, "and this is just a continuation and fulfillment of our promise."

Saturday was the first day of the two-day annual ride. American flags fluttered from the motorcycles or accompanying cars, as the riders trekked to cemeteries from Evansville to Poseyville to honor eight soldiers.
read more here

“The first shot of a war hits the heart of a mother.”

Fallen soldier honored with plaque dedication
By JOHN GUTEKUNST
Today's News-Herald
Published Monday, May 14, 2012

Former Parker resident Ara Tyler Deysie was honored May 12 with the unveiling of a plaque in his honor at Western Park. Pfc. Deysie was killed in action May 9, 2008, in Paktia Province, Afghanistan.

Yava quoted a Chinese proverb:
“The first shot of a war hits the heart of a mother.”

The plaque honoring Deysie was placed in Western Park because he often played there while growing up in Parker.

The plaque was purchased by members of the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division and sent to his mother, Lori Deysie. The regiment has purchased plaques for all its fallen members.

Lori Deysie asked the Parker Town Council to have the plaque installed at Western Park. The council agreed, and the town purchased a decorative boulder to mount it on. The plaque was installed earlier this year.

Lori Deysie was the guest of honor at the dedication. She now lives in Lake Havasu City. She was given an escort to Parker by the Blue Star Mothers and the Patriot Guard motorcycle riders.
read more here

Soldier's wife weeps over coffin at Smyrna Airport

As you look at this picture, think of how much this picture changed us.

Body of Franklin soldier Jason Edens returns home to family
May. 4, 2012
Written by
Vicky Travis
The Tennessean
The body of Army Spc. Jason K. Edens of Franklin was flown home Thursday morning, to Smyrna Airport, where about 100 people, including friends, family and members of the Patriot Guard, had gathered to pay respects.

Ashley Edens says goodbye to her husband, Cpl. Jason Edens. / Cpt. Darrin Haas / Tennessee National Guard

Edens, a 2007 Franklin High School graduate and aspiring Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent, was injured on April 15 during an enemy attack on his unit in Laghaman province in Afghanistan. He died April 26 at Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland.

“He was a remarkable guy,” said Jan Edens, Jason’s stepmother, who acted as a family spokeswoman. “He was a fun guy, loved by everyone, and so sweet. … I can’t put it all into words.”

At first, the family was going to keep the arrival very private. But once their military liaison let them know people wanted to come, they decided to open it up.
read more here

Up until this moment, you didn't know Ashely anymore than you knew her husband but as of today, this painful moment captured by the lens of a camera has been spread across nations. The Daily Mail UK picked up on the story.

They spend their days trying to live as normal as possible with the same problems the rest of us have but for them, the families of deployed servicemen and women, they worry about what the next moment can bring.

You see them in your office answering the phone but you don't know how often they worry that phone call may be the one with the bad news.

You see them in the grocery store with a couple of kids in the shopping cart as they hold a product in their hands and think about how much their loved one loved to eat it and the rush of worry pops into their brain.

This picture reminds all of us that men and women are paying the price for all we have today along with their families. We honor them on Memorial Day but the rest of the year we just forget all about them. Pictures like this, wake us up. What will it take to keep us awake and aware of them the rest of the year?

Marine Corporal Garrett Carnes welcomed home

Crowd gathers to welcome injured Marine home
April 20, 2012

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Hundreds of people filled the streets of downtown Mooresville on Friday to welcome home a Marine who was wounded in Afghanistan. Corporal Garrett Carnes, 22, lost both of his legs in an explosion in February.

The Patriot Guard escorted Carnes and his family from Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md., to downtown Mooresville. The 400-mile trip started on Interstate 495, and then traveled to I-66 and down I-81.
read more here and wathdh two great videos

More than 500 people wait on tarmac for fallen Marine to come home

Hundreds salute fallen Pendleton Marine

A member of the Patriot Guard dabs his eyes as the body of Marine Cpl. Christopher G. Singer returns to Southern California in what is called a Hero Mission ceremony at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
REED SAXON, AP

Jan. 31, 2012

Family members weep over the casket as the body of Marine Cpl. Christopher G. Singer returns to Southern California in what is called a Hero Mission ceremony at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012. Singer, 23, died in combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Jan. 21.
REED SAXON, AP

By ERIKA I. RITCHIE / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAKE FOREST - Hundreds of firefighters and law enforcement officers on Tuesday waved flags from freeway bridges from Los Alamitos to Laguna Hills saluting a procession carrying the remains of Cpl. Christopher G. Singer, a Marine killed in Afghanistan on Jan. 21.

The procession of more than 200 vehicles followed a Hero Mission – a ceremony that marks the return of an American service member killed in action – at the Joint Forces Training Base at Los Alamitos.

Singer's family – including his wife, Brooke, 21, his father, Greg Singer, and his mother, Marlene Shaw – was escorted to the plane as the coffin was lowered.

More than 500 people stood on the tarmac and paid their respects. Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit group, will give Singer's 2-year-old daughter, Briyana, birthday and Christmas gifts until she is 18, said founder Laura Herzog.

Singer, 23, was killed while conducting operations in the Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Twentynine Palms-based 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, an element of Camp Pendleton's 1st Marine Division. Singer was born in San Diego and grew up in Lake Forest and Temecula.
read more here

Disabled Vietnam Veteran will live in car to help homeless veterans

Mesa man to live in car for 3 days to raise awareness of homeless vets
By Mike Sakal, Tribune

A Mesa man soon will begin an "on the street" experience aimed at bringing awareness to the plight of homeless veterans while accepting donations of cash and blue jeans for a nonprofit organization that helps them.

From 9 a.m. Thursday until 6 p.m. Sunday, Tom Steinhagen, a disabled Vietnam War veteran, will start fasting and living in his car outside of Berge Ford, 460 E. Auto Center Drive, near Mesa Drive and the U.S. 60, for the Stand Up and Stand Proud organization, giving the community an around-the-clock opportunity to stop by and see how he's living - rain or shine.

Steinhagen, the founder of Stand Up and Stand Proud, is a member of Legion Riders and the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders, and is also active with local American Legion groups. He has set a goal of filling the trunk of his car with new or slightly used blue jeans that will be passed on to homeless veterans within those 80 hours.
read more here

Police and Patriot Guard Riders rescue crash victims during fallen soldier escort

Police, Patriot Guard Help Crash Victims in Ind.

VALPARAISO, Ind. January 15, 2012
Police and motorcyclists escorting the body of a fallen soldier home from Afghanistan have stopped to pull four people — including 6-year-old twins — from a burning Jeep after a crash in northwest Indiana.

Porter County police say 35-year-old Ana Pina was driving a Jeep carrying her children and mother Saturday when the vehicle was rear-ended by a pickup truck. The Jeep caught fire and crossed the median in front of the procession for Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr.
read more here

Marine surprised by motorcycle caravan outside church

Marine surprised by motorcycle caravan outside church
BY DAN MORAN Sun-Times Media
December 19, 2011

Gurnee Sunday, 12/18/11 Cpl. Robert "Bobby" Permer and his mother, Maggie Permer-Roark walk past all the Patriot Guard riders who turned out Sunday morning to escort him home from church. Permer, of Lindenhurst, is home on a 30-day leave and his family arranged the surprise Patriot Guard procession.
Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media

Marine Cpl. Bobby Permer noticed one thing out of the ordinary on Sunday morning while attending services at Village Church of Gurnee: His sister, Jessica, was carrying a camcorder.

Fortunately, he was not in position to see the 20 Patriot Guard motorcycles lining up out in front, along with the color guard from the Marine Corps League Lake County Detachment 801. And Jessica was ready with an explanation for the camcorder.

“She told me an old friend of the family was outside, and she wanted to get some video,” said Permer, adding that he was completely surprised by the crowd that gathered to celebrate his return from his second deployment in Afghanistan.

“Welcome home, corporal,” said Marine Corps League member John Pickelman. “Job well done.”
read more here

Iraq Veteran Eric "Patrick" Cooper passed away and passes on love

Patriot Guard Riders sends out notices from families so that the Riders can come out but they do so much more than just give up their time to honor the passing of someone. They leave comments and prayers for the families on their site.
PFC Eric "Patrick" Cooper
One of the comments left on the thread had this for a quote:

"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill

The fact he was so young is heartbreaking but there is more to this story that needs more attention. His family has requested donations be made to a homeless Veterans center instead of money being spent on flowers.

Just as an example of how much money we're talking about to go to homeless veterans, this basket from 1800Flowers is over $100.00.

Sympathy Standing Basket in Fall Colors

($129.99)

Eric "Patrick" Cooper


Eric "Patrick" Cooper, 24, of Bradenton, formerly of Osceola, Ind. passed away November 4, 2011.Services will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 1:30p.m.Survivors include his mother, Lee Ann Mason; step-father, Richard Mason; brother, Kyle; sister, Brittany; three grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is also survived by his father, Eric Cooper (Tracey) and his beloved dog, Aquilles."Patrick" was an Army veteran who served in the Iraqi War. He also at-tended MMI Technical Institute. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Robert L. Miller, Sr., c/o The Veterans Homeless Center, 815 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601. "Ride Free with the Angels"
read more here

Robert L. Miller Sr. Veteran's Center

We are proud to announce the newest addition to the Center for the Homeless family at 747 S. Michigan. When complete, this beautiful facility will welcome 25 male veterans, with bedrooms, baths, a kitchenette, a gathering room that opens into the Community garden, and a front desk, offices and conference area. Veterans will be assigned a therapist and coach the day they check in, and will have access to drug and alcohol treatment, individual and group therapy, clothes and meals, and the help they need to reintegrate into society. They will be given support as they come to grips with PTSD, medical issues and, for many, years on the streets.

Eric Cooper will Ride with the Angels. Will you? If this story touches your heart, how about making a donation in his name to the center and "make a life by what you give."

On Sunday, Sgt. Chris Newman came home

Hundreds honor Sgt. Christopher Newman (with video)
Sunday, Nov 6 2011

Rebecca Clark

The flag draped casket was slowly lowered from the open door of the plane.

The only sound was the footsteps of the military group as they slowly approached, in careful formation, to take up the heavy burden.

A somber line of more than one hundred men and women stood waiting at the edge of the tarmac, each one holding an American flag until the Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport was a sea of Stars and Stripes.

On Sunday, Sgt. Chris Newman came home.

He was welcomed home by around 300 people, including family, members of the community, the Patriot Guard, Honor Guard and local motorcycle groups.

On Oct. 29, Newman, 26, was killed in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.

read more here